This uncertainty is deemed critical because of serious concerns about the current abundance of Pacific lamprey in the Basin. It will be especially important to identify and protect diversity in Pacific lamprey in tandem with artificial propagation efforts. Research to address the uncertainty seems feasible with large potential benefits for improving management strategies and recovering the species.
Considerable knowledge already exists about the general life history of Pacific lamprey, including adult migration, overwintering, attraction to pheromones, fecundity, early development, emergence and initial settlement as ammocoetes, sediment preferences, and factors affecting growth. However, more information is needed about trends in the abundance and distribution of both juvenile and adults, about the current population structure and range of life history diversity, and about population dynamics and factors affecting productivity and carrying capacity. This general uncertainty encompasses six other uncertainties about more specific aspects of lamprey ecology and management.